Welcome to Sundown Security...
We are darkness, danger and power. Preternatural predators, sworn to protect and help mankind. If you enter our world, expect the unexpected. We aren't the type you want to be on the wrong side of in a dark alley...or the kind you take home to mama.

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Almost there. Just a little farther. Alyssa's heart was hammering so fast she thought it might burst from her chest. But she had to keep going. She spied the door leading from the parking garage. Still a long way off. Why had she parked so far away? Was that a breath she felt at the back of her neck? Fear engulfed her. She tried to pump her legs faster. Her muscles shot daggers of pain upwards in protest. They'd almost reached their limit.

She could make it, almost there—something pulled at the back of her blouse, then lost its grip. She finally reached the door, gave it a good push. It was unlocked. Slipping inside, she slammed the door behind her. Alyssa sagged against it in relief. People were all around her. She trembled all over in an effort to get her breathing back to normal. Safe. For now. Other than losing her shoes, she was fine.

The man had attacked as she approached her car. She swung her purse hard enough at his head to momentarily disorient him. Then brought her knee up and centered it where he was most vulnerable. He doubled over with a groan. She began her race. Her high heels impeded her speed, so she kicked them off. Ignoring the pain from the bits of rocks and debris she stepped on as she ran for her life, she silently thanked her mother for pushing her to do track while growing up. Despite the fact that her father had always said she "ran like a girl", she knew she had been one of the fastest runners in her school—boy or girl.

Gradually Alyssa got her breathing back to normal. Everything would be okay now. But what about the next time? Whoever was stalking her, yes, she finally admitted that's what was happening—wasn't going away. This was the third speaking engagement he had shown up at, and despite the heightened security precautions she'd taken, he didn't seem to be slowing down. This time, it felt like he'd been just steps behind her. He'd never been that close before.

Her publicist was right. She had avoided his suggestions to hire personal security. Now she knew she couldn't put it off any longer. She had assumed that, like everything else in her life, she could handle this herself. She was wrong. The situation was getting out of hand. Whoever was after her wasn't giving up. As much as she hated to admit it, it was time to ask for help. The next evening, after much persuasion by her publicist, Alyssa Edwards walked into the office of Sundown Security Agency. Her conversation with the agency's owner, Vlad Maksimovitch, started out well. Her publicist had assured her that this company was the best in Arizona. They specialized in security for evening functions, and since her three remaining motivational workshops were at night, that suited her purposes perfectly.

Vlad, as he asked her to call him, offered her herbal tea as they sat in his office discussing her situation. The light scent of Chamomile relaxed her frayed nerves. Also there was something about his tone of voice, which left her at ease. He had an almost lulling cadence to his speech. Despite the fact that he was one of the most attractive men she had ever met, his warm smile and easy manner made her comfortable almost immediately.

Then he mentioned the "B" word.

"A bodyguard? No—Way!" Alyssa bolted off her seat, and almost stormed right back out the door. "Mr. Maksimovitch, when my publicist set up this appointment it was to acquire some additional personal security, not provide me with a babysitter. I know how to make safe choices. I don't need anybody to tell me how to do that."

"I disagree." Alyssa swung around at the sound of the unfamiliar male voice behind her. The man was leaning negligently against the doorframe leading into the office. His arms were folded casually across his chest and he appeared very relaxed. His eyes challenged her and he wore a mocking smile on his face. For some reason that smirk irritated her.

"Excuse me? Who are you?" She lifted an eyebrow arrogantly. "Miss Edwards, this is Christian Galiano," Vlad explained. He rose from his chair and gave Christian a warning look. "He's the specialist that I assigned to guar-uh, work with you."

Christian pushed away from the doorway and strode towards her. His mocking expression suddenly changed to intense interest. Alyssa felt something new replace the irritation she had felt only moments before. Everything became slow motion as the man drew closer. His body moved in a way that seemed unnaturally graceful, as if he were almost gliding towards her rather than walking. Her eyes rose to his, and she couldn't drag them away. His gaze drew her in, endlessly tugging at her. She felt herself falling into their cognac colored depths.

"Christian!" Vlad yelled.

Christian maintained contact with Alyssa until he stood close enough to touch her. He slowly raised his hand to her face. Caught up in his captivating gaze, she had no will to stop him. "Cristobal! No!"

This time, Christian heeded Vlad's words. He broke eye contact and Alyssa stumbled backwards. She would have fallen against the desk if he hadn't reached out at a speed so fast it blurred to grab her arm and steady her. What had just happened? She felt as if she had been in some sort of daze.

Realizing Christian still held on to her, Alyssa's irritation returned. She tried to pull free, but he didn't release her. Instead, he slowly slid his hand down her arm, over her elbow, skimming his fingers on her wrists before gently enveloping her hand in his.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, " he said.

His lilting Spanish accent and light touch left her momentary nonplussed, but she quickly shook it off.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Galiano. Now if you'd let go of me?"

She looked pointedly down at their clasped hands, then back at him.

"Of course, but please call me Christian," he said, releasing her.

Alyssa stepped back, putting some space between them before turning back towards Mr. Maksimovitch.

"I appreciate your efforts to protect me, however, a bodyguard is not exactly what I had planned," she reiterated.

"You need to change your plan, Ms. Edwards," Christian responded. "I don't think so," she countered. The man was really starting to get on her nerves. "I don't need a man following me around wherever I go, telling me where to go, what to do, or how to do it."

Christian looked like he was about to argue, when Vlad interrupted.

"Miss Edwards. Our business is security. We understand your reluctance to a bodyguard, however, it sounds to me like your problem has become more than just a case of an avid fan wanting your attention. Last night you were attacked. Your physical well-being threatened. You managed to escape, but next time you might not be so lucky."

Darn it, the man was right. If he hadn't just voiced her own concerns, Alyssa would have been able to refuse their services. Whoever attacked her last night wasn't playing around. She only had two more days until her next speaking appearance. Pride had no place in this. Her life might be at stake.

The two men waited silently for her to make her decision. Christian's expression mocked her, Vlad's looked earnest, concerned. She knew what she had to do.

"Fine," she agreed through gritted teeth. She really didn't like this. "But, no offense Mr. Galiano, I'd prefer that you handle my case, Vlad."

Christian's smile remained firmly in place, but Alyssa noticed it now looked like little more than a baring of teeth. Well, that was just too bad. She felt comfortable with Vlad, and definitely uncomfortable with Christian. Something about him screamed a silent warning that said, ‘stay far away'.

"Regretfully, Miss Edwards, that's not possible," Vlad explained. "I'm working on a high profile case of my own at the moment, and won't be able to handle yours as well. Also, please understand that I choose the specialists to work each case based on the specifics of the circumstances. After looking over your situation, and talking to your publicist, I knew that Christian was the one to best handle your needs. I promise you, you'll be satisfied with him and his protection."

Vlad looked pointedly at Christian.

"Isn't that right, Christian?"

Christian looked like the cat who swallowed the cream. His smile widened to wolfish proportions as he met Alyssa's gaze.

"I can definitely satisfy your needs, Miss Edwards. As long as you do as you're told."

Alyssa fumed. The man was just too much! Placing her hands on her hips she met his gaze squarely.

"I don't take orders very well, Mr. Galiano. And," she paused to rake her gaze scathingly over him from head to toe, "my satisfaction is not so easily fulfilled."

When her eyes returned to his face, she could tell by his clenching jaw that he was not amused. Their gazes met and clashed.

"We'll see," he said, before turning to look at Vlad. "I'll leave the details to you, as usual. Just fill me in later."

Christian turned and left the room without a backwards glance.

"Yes, we will," Alyssa hissed under her breath.

She turned to Vlad with a smile that was most definitely forced.

"I apologize, Ms. Edwards. Christian is usually not like this. I promise you, he'll handle your case with the utmost professionalism and courtesy. He is very good at his job. You'll feel safe in his hands," Vlad guaranteed.

"Thank you. I appreciate your confidence in your employees. As you mentioned before, this situation has gotten way out of hand. Everything I've tried up until now hasn't helped."

"Let's go over the events one more time. Tell me everything, from the first time the stalker appeared until now," Vlad requested.

"Of course. It all started after my first motivational talk since being back in Arizona. As you know, I've been traveling around the country promoting my new life therapy book, Balance. I scheduled six appearances around the state. I thought it was fitting to finish out my ten-week tour in my home state. Anyway, I was at the Grady Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, when the stalker first contacted me. Everything was going as usual when..."

In his office down the hall from Vlad's, Christian paced restlessly back and forth. His acute hearing allowed him to hear every word Alyssa Edwards spoke. When Vlad promised her that he would act with professionalism and courtesy, Christian smiled coldly. Vlad knew he was listening, and that was his way of warning him to behave.

Christian ran his hand through his hair and exhaled loudly in frustration. He wasn't quite sure why he had acted that way with the human woman. She was pretty, he'd give her that. Her straight, raven black hair hung loose down to the small of her back. She had delicately arched eyebrows, crystal blue eyes, creamy white skin, and full, berry red lips. Her ample and voluptuous curves also kept drawing his gaze. But he had seen many more exquisitely beautiful women during his two hundred year lifetime, and none had affected him like this.

Most women tried to attract his interest. Alyssa had done just the opposite. She had acted like she wanted nothing to do with him. That surprised him. Even when he had tried to mesmerize her, she had struggled against it. Her strength of will amazed him. She had fought him up to the moment he had released her from his mental embrace. That was unusual.

Despite all that, what most intrigued him had been her ability to ignite his emotions. Most humans only mildly affected him, but she had actually made him feel several ways: challenged, interested, irritated, and yes, attracted. Something about her appealed to him, made him feel alive, but he couldn't quite place what it was, yet.

Though he knew what had happened to Alyssa up to that point, Christian listened attentively, careful not to miss any unusual cadence changes or hesitations in her voice. He had learned through experience that it wasn't always what the person said that answered your questions, it was more often how they said it. He knew she was scared by the last attack, as she should be. But he could also tell she didn't like asking for help.

She was very independent. That was an admirable trait, but it could present a problem if she wasn't willing to cooperate with him. He had a job to do, and he would succeed, with or without her agreement.

He was sworn to protect the humans he had easily killed for so long. Almost a hundred and fifty years had passed since he let the vampire in him take control of the person he was. The man now ruled the vampire, not the other way around. And his duty to protect was what he lived for. It was the only thing that kept him from walking into the sunlight and ending his existence.

He delved lightly into Alyssa's mind, careful to keep his search delicate, so that she remained unaware of his probing. He couldn't stop the satisfied grin that spread across his lips. She was wondering about him, even as she said goodbye to Vlad. Good, she wasn't as unaffected by him as she pretended to be. That would help.

"Did you get it all, my friend, or have you been in here the whole time, daydreaming about our beautiful new client?"

Vlad's voice broke through Christian's thoughts.

"I heard it. And I agree, she is quite attractive, but that's not what worries me. Ms. Edwards is very independent, and really doesn't want to deal with us. I skimmed her mind lightly, as I'm sure you did, and despite her fear over the situation, she was trying to figure out a way not to use our services, even as you walked her to her car and she drove away."

"Nevertheless, she will use our service. Her publicist insisted and she has already given us a down payment." Vlad smiled, before he turned serious again. "You have a new client, Christian. But please refrain from any more open displays like the one in my office earlier. We don't want to scare our customers away. Our business has grown substantially in the last few years, and we're establishing a good reputation. I want to keep it that way."

"Don't worry. I'm sure Ms. Edwards and I will come to an agreement," Christian said with a wicked smile.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Vlad muttered, shaking his head. He placed a file on Christian's desk, then turned to leave the room. "Take a look at Ms. Edwards' file. She's going to meet with you here at the office tomorrow night, so that you can go over procedure and layout. Her next speaking engagement is the night after next."

"Thanks. Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Christian asked with a knowing grin.

Vlad stiffened, and glared over his shoulder.

"You know perfectly well where I'm going. If I'm not at "little miss princess'" house by a certain time, her daddy gets very unhappy," he said with a grim smile. "And with the amount of money he's willing to pay, and his large crowd of friends that are just the kind of people who could be our future clients, I'm willing to speed up my pace a little. Dealing with his daughter, of course, is a totally different matter. I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to put up with her."

"Good luck," Christian snickered before his friend slammed the office door on his way out.

Alyssa drove through the drive thru, grabbing some Japanese fast food from Tokyo Express on her way home. Her apartment was finally starting to feel like home again. After being gone for so long, it was hard to settle back into her own place. As she set her keys and food down on the counter, a big black fur ball jumped onto the kitchen table and meowed loudly.

"Finally forgiven me, huh?" she asked, petting her cat. When she scratched his head, he closed his eyes and began purring loudly.

"I missed you too, Jonathan, but this speaking tour was something I needed to do. I know Aunt Joyce took good care of you while I was gone. You certainly don't look deprived," she added, stroking his substantial belly. In response, he turned and gave her hand a little nip.

"Okay, so I'm not totally forgiven. How about some dinner?"

Alyssa opened a can of cat food and poured it into Jonathan's bowl, then set in on the floor by his water. He jumped off the table and sniffed his food. She sat down, pulled her dinner out of the bag, and began to eat. When she was about half way through, Jonathan jumped back onto the table and sat down in front of her. He waited patiently, watching her chew each bite, and occasionally sniffing the air.

"No. The vet said I have to stop giving you treats. I know teriyaki chicken is your favorite, but I can't do it," she explained.

Jonathan meowed sharply, then proceeded to pace on the table in front of her.

"Nope. I'm not giving in this time. You need to be healthier," she said firmly.

Jonathan stopped and emitted a small pitiful meow, then laid down on the table and rolled over onto his back. All the while he watched her eat.

"No, I can't—" the doorbell rang at that moment and Alyssa got up to answer it. Jonathan let out one more meow and she gave up.

"Fine. Here's the rest. I'm done anyway." She set the bowl in front of him before walking to the door.

She started to open it, then remembered what had happened the night before. She needed to be more cautious, make safer choices. She peeked through the peephole, then opened the door wide.

Her Aunt Joyce breezed inside.

"Hi. Jonathan and I are just sharing our dinner, again," Alyssa explained.

"I thought he's on a diet?" Her aunt hiked one eyebrow.

"He is, but I figured a little chicken wouldn't hurt him."

"Honey, ‘a little chicken' is what got him where he is in the first place. Admit it, Jonathan is one spoiled cat, and you'd be unhappy without him."

"He was a stray that I found, end of story. He had no place else to go. And what am I supposed to do? He has to eat," Alyssa replied.

"And he has to have his special kitty bed, his kitty blanket, his kitty toys, his fish shaped bowl, and don't forget his little kitty sweater for those especially cold days when you take him for a walk in his kitty halter leash. That cat is one of the most spoiled animals I have ever met," her aunt complained.

"He was so incredibly difficult while you were gone, Alyssa. He didn't want to eat, didn't want to use his litter box, and didn't want to take his daily walk. I had to feed him like a baby, and carry him around outside, just so he could get his fresh air. Honestly, I don't know how or why you put up with him," her aunt complained.

Alyssa smiled. She knew that despite all the complaining her aunt was doing, she absolutely adored Jonathan.

"I'm sorry he was such a bother. Thanks for taking care of him for me while I was gone. I don't know what I would have done without you." Alyssa hugged her aunt.

"I was glad to do it for you Aly," her aunt replied softly, hugging Alyssa tightly before pulling away and taking her niece's face in her hands. "Let me look at you, girl. You were gone too long. I missed you."

"I missed you too, Aunt Joyce." Alyssa smiled. "Now come into the kitchen with me, and we'll have some tea."

Alyssa poured two glasses of ice tea, and sat down across from her aunt at the kitchen table. The kitchen was one of her favorite rooms in the apartment. She had decorated it with yellows and light blues, as well as some plants, to make it warm and inviting. She loved sitting at the table chatting with friends and family. It was one of the things she and her mother had done when Alyssa was a child. Though her mother was now dead, she still enjoyed the tradition.

Her aunt stayed for a short time. They talked about Alyssa's trip, and her appointment at Sundown Security.

"So you're meeting with Mr. Galiano again tomorrow?"

"Yes, we're supposed to go over plans for my last few motivational talks. He'll suggest some ways to secure each location," Alyssa replied.

"It sounds like this man knows what he's doing. That's good. I don't want anything to happen to you. If you're obligated to finish your tour, at least I'll have the comfort of knowing you'll be safe".

"Hmmm." Alyssa replied noncommittally.

She really didn't want to think about how safe she might be with the arrogant Mr. Christian Galiano. But later on, after her aunt left and Alyssa lay in her bed, her thoughts kept wandering back to him. The rest of the night she tossed and turned, dreaming of dangerous attackers, and a handsome, mocking stranger saving her each and every time.

By morning her dreams had her completely irritated with Christian. She didn't know how she could possibly wait until evening. She just wanted to get everything clarified and organized in her mind, so that she could concentrate on other things.

Like her upcoming speaking engagements. No matter how many times she spoke in front of a crowd, she always needed to prepare. Once she had done enough preparation, she had no trouble speaking in front of large groups of people. Millions even, as she had done when she appeared on The Today Show with Katie Couric. She had watched Katie for years, and felt comfortable with her. But the fact that so many people were going to be watching the interview worried her, so she had prepared extensively for it. By the time she went on TV, she felt ready, and answered each question appropriately.

Despite the fact that the she had a lot of work to do, the day dragged on forever. Before sunset, Alyssa was already in her car, heading into downtown Phoenix, on her way to meet Christian. She pulled into the parking lot just as the sun was disappearing over the horizon. She enjoyed the scene for a few minutes. Arizona sunsets were incredibly beautiful, and this one was no exception. The pinks and oranges that streaked across the sky seemed too bright to be real. It was almost as if someone had painted them there. When the colors faded and twilight fell, she got out of her car and headed for the Sundown Security office. She knocked on the door, but no one answered so she tried the lock. It was open. Slowly, she twisted the knob, and pushed the door inward.

"Oh good, dinner. Just in time too, I'm famished."

Alyssa stopped short in the doorway. The woman standing inside didn't look friendly. In fact, she looked downright unfriendly. Alyssa slowly counted to five. She just wasn't in the mood for this.

"Look, you'll have to find your own meal. I'm not here to deliver dinner," Alyssa said irritably. "I'm here for an appointment."

"Who said anything about delivering dinner, my dear? You are dinner." The woman smacked her lips, giving Alyssa a leer that revealed two sharp, elongated teeth. When she strode forward, Alyssa retreated backwards through the doorway, her heart pounding in sudden alarm.

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